The Government has said the repatriation of Burundian refugees and the closure of Nduta Refugee Camp in Kigoma Region were carried out in full compliance with the law and agreed international procedures.
Minister for Home Affairs Patrobas Katambi said the exercise followed a structured process involving Tanzania, Burundi and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) through a series of tripartite meetings.
He explained that the discussions focused on ensuring that all legal conditions were met before the refugees were returned to their home country.
“We held joint meetings and reached agreements in line with legal requirements. The process requires step-by-step coordination, and it must be confirmed that the reasons that forced people to flee—such as war or serious insecurity—no longer exist,” he said.
Mr Katambi noted that Tanzania took steps to verify the safety of returnees in Burundi. He said assurances were provided by Burundian authorities, including President Évariste Ndayishimiye and the country’s diplomatic representatives in Tanzania.
He added that Burundi had confirmed it is now stable and has prepared essential social services such as healthcare, education, water and welfare support for returning citizens.
“For our part, we ensured that conditions in their home country are safe. The Government of Burundi has confirmed readiness, including the availability of key services for returnees,” he said.
Tanzania has hosted Burundian refugees at Nduta Camp for nearly 10 years. By the time of its official closure on April 30, 2026, the camp had 165,394 refugees.
The repatriation exercise followed a resolution reached during the 26th Tripartite Meeting held on November 28, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, where Tanzania, Burundi and UNHCR agreed to begin the voluntary return process, leading to the eventual closure of the camp.
Mr Katambi said the government remains committed to observing both national and international standards in handling refugee matters.
